In 1983, the U.S. Mint began offering collectors a Prestige Proof Set. Prestige Sets are limited-issue Proof Sets that contain a Commemorative Dollar (and sometimes a Commemorative Half Dollar) for the year of issue, as well as a proof issue of the Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter and Kennedy Half Dollar. Each set is enclosed in a book-like case and comes sealed in a laminated box with a Certificate of Authenticity. Prestige Sets were produced annually, with the exception of 1985, until production was suspended in 1997.

To commemorate the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, the U.S. Mint issued a Commemorative 1984 Silver Dollar. This coin is included in the 1983 Prestige Set. This 1983 Olympic Proof Dollar was designed by the Mint’s chief engraver, Elizabeth Jones. The obverse of the coin features a classic Greek discus thrower, flanked by the Olympic symbol. The reverse of the coin depicts the head and upper body of the American Bald Eagle. The images are crisp and powerful, exuding a strong sense of confidence and pride in our nation. 

The 1984 Olympics Commemorative Silver Dollar was the second coin issued to mark the 1984 Olympic Games. This coin is included in the 1984 Prestige Set. The coin’s imagery was designed by Robert Graham, an American sculptor who also designed the headless bronze sculptures that were placed at the entrance of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (which served as the Gateway to the Olympic Coliseum). The obverse of the coin features Graham’s sculptures with the Coliseum in the background. The reverse depicts an American Bald Eagle perched on an olive branch. 

In 1986, Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. The Mint subsequently issued three commemorative coins, two of which are included in the 1986 Prestige Set: the 1986 Statue of Liberty Silver Dollar and Half Dollar coins. The obverse of the Silver Dollar features the Statue of Liberty holding the torch and tablet.  Behind her is the Ellis Island immigration center, which was also referred to as the “Gateway to America.” These images were designed by engraver John Mercanti. The reverse of this coin depicts Liberty’s hand holding the flaming torch. Rays of light emanate from the torch in all directions. This side also features the concluding words of Emma Lazarus’s poem The New Colossus—the same words that are on a plaque at the base of the statue. The reverse was designed by both John Mercanti and Matthew Peloso. 

The 1986 Liberty Half Dollar was the first copper-nickel clad Commemorative Half Dollar to be issued. The obverse features the New York skyline circa 1913, with the Statue of Liberty standing prominently in the foreground. The obverse was designed by Edgar Z. Steever IV. The reverse of the coin features an immigrant family standing on the wharf at Ellis Island. This was designed by Sherl Joseph Winter. 

In 1987, the Constitution Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued to honor the 200th Anniversary of the United States Constitution. This coin is included in the 1987 Prestige Set. The obverse features a quill pen laid across a sheet of parchment. The first three words of the U.S. Constitution, “We The People,” are superimposed over the document, written in colonial script. The reverse of the coin depicts a group of Americans, clad in both colonial and modern attire, representing the concept on the obverse. The foremost man holds rolled documents, in a manner reminiscent of paintings of the Founding Fathers. The designs were created by Patricia Lewis Verani. 

The 1988 Olympic Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued to celebrate U.S. participation in the Olympics in Seoul, Korea. The obverse depicts Liberty’s flaming torch and the Olympic torch merging into a single flame. The reverse features the five Olympic rings (the U.S. team logo) framed by a wreath. The obverse was designed by Patrician Lewis Verani while the reverse was created by Sherl Joseph Winter. 

In 1989, the Congressional Bicentennial Silver Dollar and Half Dollar were issued to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Congress operating under the U.S. Constitution. Both of these commemoratives are included in the 1989 Prestige Set. 

The obverse of the dollar features an upward view of Thomas Crawford’s “Statue of Freedom.” This statue was placed on top of the U.S. Capitol dome in 1863. The reverse depicts the ceremonial mace of the House of Representatives, consisting of an eagle, perched atop of a fasces. This symbol is displayed in the chamber of the House of Representatives when the House is in session. Both the obverse and reverse were designed by William Woodward, who based the images after models produced by Chester Y. Martin. 

The 1989 Congressional Half Dollar depicts the bust of Crawford’s “Statue of Freedom.” On each side of this image are the years 1789 and 1989, denoting the bicentennial. This image was designed by Patricia Lewis Verani. The reverse features a complete view of the Capitol Building, surrounded by a wreath of thirteen stars, representing each of the original states. The reverse was designed by William Woodard, and engraved by Edgar Z. Steever. 

In 1990, the Eisenhower Centennial Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This coin is included in the 1990 Prestige Set. The obverse of the coin features two Eisenhower profile portraits: a right-facing profile depicting an older Eisenhower, superimposed over a left-facing profile of a younger Eisenhower. The former represents his two terms as President, while the latter represents his service as a five-star General. This marks the first time two portraits were used on the same side of a coin. The reverse of the coin features Eisenhower’s retirement home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which is now a national historic site. The obverse was designed by John Mercanti and the reverse by Marcel Jovine. 

Mount Rushmore represents the first 150 years of U.S. history through the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. An iconic symbol of America, Mt. Rushmore stands as a memorial to democracy and pays homage to this country’s birth, growth and ideals. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national monument, the Mint issued the Mount Rushmore Commemorative Silver Dollar and Half Dollar in 1991. Both of these coins are included in the 1991 Prestige Set. 

The obverse of the silver dollar, designed by Marike Somogyi, features an image of the Mount Rushmore Memorial cradled by two olive branches. The reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, is modeled after the Great Seal of the United States and features an Eagle Crest positioned over a map of the United States. The obverse of the Half Dollar, designed by Marcel Jovine, features a more prominent view of Mount Rushmore with rays of sunlight beaming up in the background. The reverse, designed by James Ferrell, features a photo-realistic image of the American Bison—an iconic symbol of the American Frontier. A ring of 50 stars, one for each state, encircles the image. 

The 1992 Summer Olympic Games were held in Barcelona, Spain. To commemorate U.S. participation in the games, the Mint issued the 1992 Olympic Silver Dollar and Half Dollar. Both of these coins are included in the 1992 Prestige Set.

The obverse of the Silver Dollar, designed by John R. Deecken, features a baseball pitcher “firing the ball to home plate.” While Deecken maintains the image was drawn from a composite and not representative of any one person, many speculate that the image bears a striking similarity to baseball great Nolan Ryan. The reverse, designed by Marcel Jovine, features a broad heraldic shield flanked by two modernly stylized olive branches on both sides. The five Olympic rings float above the shield. The obverse of the Half Dollar, designed by William Cousins, features a leaping female gymnast before an oversized American flag. The reverse, designed by Steven M. Bieda, depicts the Olympic torch and an olive branch. 

To commemorate the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Mint issued the 1993 Bill of Rights Silver Dollar and Half Dollar. Both of these coins are included in the 1993 Prestige Set. The obverse of the Silver Dollar, designed by William Krawczewic, features a portrait of James Madison, the author of the Bill of Rights. The reverse, designed by Dean McMullen, features a view of Madison’s Virginia home, Montpelier. The obverse of the Half Dollar, designed by T. James Ferrell, depicts James Madison as he is writing the Bill of Rights. His home, Montpelier, is featured in the background. The reverse of the coin, designed by Dean McMullen, features Liberty’s hand raising the flaming torch. 

The United States hosted the 15th World Cup tournament in 1994. To celebrate, the U.S Mint issued the 1994 World Cup Silver Dollar and Half Dollar. Both coins are included in the 1994 Prestige Set. The obverse of the silver dollar features two competing soccer players converging on a ball. This image was designed by Dean McMullen and modeled by U.S. Mint engraver T. James Farrell. The reverse, also designed by McMullen, features the official World Cup USA logo of 1994 flanked by laurel branches on each side. The obverse of the Half Dollar, designed by Richard T. LaRoche, features a soccer player running down the field with the ball. The reverse of this coin shares the same design as the silver dollar. 

The 1995 Civil War Battlefield Preservation Commemorative Silver Dollar and Half Dollar were issued by the U.S. Mint to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the preservation of Civil War battlefields throughout the United States. An artist renown for his depictions of battle scenes was selected to design the obverse faces for these coins. Both the Silver Dollar and Half Dollar are included in the 1995 Prestige Set.

The obverse of the Silver Dollar, designed by Troiani, features a soldier offering a canteen of water to a wounded enemy soldier. The reverse, designed by John Mercanti, depicts Gettysburg’s landscape, along with a quote from Joshua Chamberlain, a soldier who fought in the battle: “In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass, bodies disappear, but spirits linger to consecrate ground for the vision place of souls.” The obverse of the Half Dollar, designed by Troiani, features a standing drummer boy in his Civil War uniform. The reverse, designed by U.S. Mint engraver T. James Ferrell, features a cannon sitting idly amidst a battlefield landscape. 

The 1996 Summer Olympic Games were held in Atlanta, Georgia. To commemorate the nation’s participation in the games, the U.S. Mint created an extensive program of commemorative coins. The 1996 Prestige Set includes the 1996 Olympic Rowing Silver Dollar and 1996 Olympic Soccer Half Dollar. The obverse of the Silver Dollar, designed by Bart Forbes, features four men rowing. The five Olympic rings float above. The reverse, designed by Thomas D. Rogers, features the logo of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. 

The obverse of the Half Dollar, designed by Clint Hansen, features two female soccer players in action. The reverse, designed by Malcolm Frey, features the Olympic flame resting atop the five Olympic rings, together forming a conceptualized version of a torch. 

Throughout history, botanic gardens have played an important role in the study and preservation of plant life. In fact, the Founding Fathers had signed legislation in 1820 that led to the creation of what is now the oldest operating botanic garden in the nation—the National Botanic Garden in Washington, DC. To celebrate the 165th anniversary of this garden, the U.S. Mint issued the 1997 Botanic Gardens Silver Dollar. This coin is included in the 1997 Prestige Set. The obverse, designed by Edgar Z. Steever, depicts the French facade of the Botanic Garden. The reverse, designed by William C. Cousins, features a single rose (the national flower) encompassed by a garland of roses that run along the upper rim of the coin. 

Prestige Proof Sets offer a unique sample of our nation’s coinage and are a timeless addition to any collection. Designed with original artistry and unparalleled aesthetic skill, each coin celebrates the nation’s distinctive icons, moments, and achievements. Prestige Sets honor the rich heritage and history of the nation, and echo the fundamental sentiments and values the United States was built upon.